Old School musicians and singers have paved the way , I got 21 songs on the market, 31 years of paying dues, and aint got tired yet, you are right on the money, and you are not by yourself in this thing, gimme a shout

I guess I'm in the "Old Fart" boat, too. I'm 57 and still playing hard rocking R&B and Blues. Just lost my drummer to diabetis and it's hard to find another one in Roanoke, Virginia who knows who Johnny Winter,Luther Allison, Coco Montoya, Michael Burks, Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials are. Still doing Blues festivals and bigger clubs. Most players don't want to travel more than 15 miles to play.

Hey everybody, Who cares how old a musician is. I have had the pleasure of singing with "classic musicians" and I happen to know that they are the best! The egos are gone, and the playing is much easier and relaxed and they just love what they do! They don't get mad or upset they just roll with it! Besides they can usually pick right up on the music and I am amazed and admire that! With as many musicians that are here and looking to get together, maybe we should try to get a central meeting place and unite and have a big jam session! Probably would be one of the best things that could happen.

Anonymous wrote:Hey Oldsters, I'm sitting on an indian reservation in western New York and to my amazement right in the middle of classic rock territory.My classic rock band,EXIT 20,consists of me(Jon)-drummer,54 yrs old,Mark-lead guitar/vocals,53 yrs.old,Tim-bass/vocals,50 yrs.old and John(the baby)rhythm/vocals,mid-30's.Our band slogan is:We don't just play it,we lived it!We are sponsored by our local classic rock radio station which is also the only radio station so for now I'm in my element........check are website at www.exit20.altpro.net and see how us oldsters are holding up

hey all, yeah pretty much the same problem here in southern jersey, i've been playing for 35 years, music is my lifes blood, do you remember when you were young, and not as wise,? nobody could tell you anything , we thought we knew it all , we had all the answers, we thought everything we did sounded great, well its the same thing now i guess .one thing i find that holds true ,is that with age comes a better ear for music ,a more focussed mind set on dynamics, and good sound quality, not just turn it up and wail. older musicians have so much more to offer, experience is one of the most valuable commodities in a musician.also egos , and rock star dreams , and selfish look at me only attitudes , have dissapated with the years. most importantly older musicians realize more that you must serve the music, playing with others is about whats best for the music your playing.whats gonna make it sound as good as it can, of course there are exceptions , i'm sure there are many younger musicians with mature attitudes, and gifted wisdom. its a shame so many people dont realize that there is no age limit on musicianship, its not about how pretty you look, or the length of your hair, or the lack of your hair. its just aqbout good music . if anyone wants to talk, or can relate, and just wants to get it off there chest please feel free to email me Dave

Dave, you're right on the money with that answer.
There is something to be said about maturity . . .
And, you're right: with age and experience DOES come a better ear for music.
And - when playing - the only thing that counts is the music.
When I play with others, and someone changes a part of one of my original songs . . . well - if it sounds BETTER - then: good!
Yeah I could play macho-man jerk; but if someone wants to put themselves into the music with me - welcome.
I don't care WHO came up with the improvement. I'm just listening to / experiencing us play, and if they want to take the song into a cool direction - well, then, 'thank you for that music insight, my friend.'
I'm not looking to play with robots or serfs or admirers . . . .
I'm looking to play with musicians . . . .
I wonder how long it takes the average musician to discover the value of this atitude . . . .

Hi Kids! It's how YOU see it. I'm not sure how important looks are although if you went by American Idol standards, it seems it's very important. I'm 53, and I'm in a band with four other guys , all in our 50's, and we are all better at what we do. None of us obviously intend to quit playing any time soon since the band is relatively new. It's kind of like the Beatles or Stones, Aerosmith, there are bands that live and last and there are the one hit wonders. It's a combination of passion and talent. How many of the young bands will last? It's like someone said earlier, there's some very mature and talented younger musicians out there and guess what? They will be US, someday! Whether they see more success, well, that depends on what you call success, but I think if you play all your life, like myself, it's a good thing. I also think that as an older musician, still at it, we set a new standard. We can break the norm. As a woman, I think it's even more difficult because of that whole looks thing but I don't look my age, so that helps me only for now. I intend to keep playing till I die, but who knows how things "play out" , no pun intended! I think this whole age thing is seen in the work place as well. That's why they are letting 50 something executives go after years in the company, blah , blah, and I bartended for years and it's so hard to find a bartending job now as an older woman. I really think you just gotta storm the gates and do this. Set a new standard, no matter what it is you want to continue to do. Hey, not to be corny or is it lame, now, but remember from grade school, "Give me liberty or give me death" ? Well, I want to be free to do what I want, for as long as I want. Especially, cos I'm doing it better than I ever have! AND, We will!

Tessa,
Yeah, there's a whole growing sub-culture of people more interested in admiring 'rock stars,' than in admiring the actual music.
.
Yeah there are also a lot of very talented youger musicians . . .
But, when they get older, they'll be even more talented, and more experienced.
The older musicians have an opportunity to expose others to some really great music . . . .

I saw a great performance of JS Bach's 2nd Brandenbrug Concerto the other night. I don't think a single one of the players was over 22 years old. Now I'd say that's pretty good for an old timer, that grouchly old German, dead for centuries now, to put such fire and desire into the bellies of such young performers.